According to Kip Hawley the TSA's airport security system is broken: Airport security in America is broken. I should know. For 3½ years--from my confirmation in July 2005 to President Barack Obama's inauguration in January 2009--I served as the head of the Transportation Security Administration. You know what Kip? Fuck you. You're part of the problem. The very first words out … [Read more...] about Former TSA Head Admits the TSA Sucks
In Which John Derbyshire Explains Black People
Wow, it looks like somebody hacked into John Derbyshire's email and sent one of his publishing outlets something that would make him look a racist asshole. I mean, would even a jerk like Derbyshire really write shit like this? (10a) Avoid concentrations of blacks not all known to you personally. (10b) Stay out of heavily black neighborhoods. (10c) If planning a trip to … [Read more...] about In Which John Derbyshire Explains Black People
A One-Two-Punch Against Free Speech
[WARNING: This post is part of an April Fools Day prank. The Arizona bill is real, but the bill by Senator Lieberman is completely fictional. Eric Turkewitz was the ring leader for this event, and he has the wrap-up. The short version is that no one bit who should have known better.] This weekend we're seeing a one-two-punch against freedom of speech -- at least as it exists on … [Read more...] about A One-Two-Punch Against Free Speech
Mega Millions Breakeven?
For those interested in the numbers, the Mega Millions jackpot stands at $540 million. That's the estimated nominal value of the annuity payout over 25 years (26 payments, the first one is immediate and the rest are at the end of the year). That annunity is calculated based on the current cash prize pool of $389 million. If you won that cash prize, the federal government's … [Read more...] about Mega Millions Breakeven?
Krugman’s Silly Stand
Paul Krugman has a strange take on the Stand Your Ground law: Florida's now-infamous Stand Your Ground law, which lets you shoot someone you consider threatening without facing arrest, let alone prosecution, sounds crazy -- and it is. Florida's Stand Your Ground law may or may not be crazy -- the devil is in the details -- but Krugman's description of it misses by a mile. The … [Read more...] about Krugman’s Silly Stand